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Wood furniture adds an element of warmth and charm to any décor. Unfortunately, it’s also susceptible to stains. Whether you’ve got a beloved piece of wood furniture handed down from your grandparents or a brand new addition to your home, you might be disappointed the first time you notice a ring-shaped water stain on the wooden surface. But don’t despair; even tough water stains can be removed. You won’t need to replace your wood furniture if you follow these quick tips for removing water stains.

First, it’s important to treat the stain as soon as possible. If you can catch the stain right after its formation, you have the best chance of removing it. But what if your wood furniture is older, and it came with stains already in place? There’s still hope. Do-it-yourself experts recommend taking mayonnaise, oil, or the meat of walnuts or pecans and rubbing it into the water mark. The fatty substances will penetrate the wood and leave the stained area darker and harder to see.

Use your finger to rub the oils into the wood, then let the furniture sit for several minutes before repeating the treatment. Older water marks might need to sit overnight.

When the wood furniture has finished soaking up the treatment, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away the residue. You might need to repeat this a few times to get stubborn stains out of the wood finish.

Other experts suggest using toothpaste. Simply take a non-gel toothpaste and rub it over the water stain with a damp cloth. Then take a dry cloth and wipe off the toothpaste. Polish your furniture afterward, and it should look as good as new.

Furniture with a good finish can be wiped down with a mixture of baking soda and toothpaste. For antiques, try a very fine grade of steel wool followed by a soft wax polish. For especially stubborn white marks on dark furniture, take a small amount of brown shoe polish and work it into the area before wiping it clean. It should camouflage any discoloration. Always follow your water stain treatments with a good coat of furniture polish.

If a water stain is just too persistent, you can always hire a professional to refinish the furniture, or do it yourself. Remember, the key ingredient for water stain removal is elbow grease – and lots of it. Gentle, prolonged polishing works better than quick, rough strokes. Harsh treatment can harm the wood’s finish. Be gentle, firm, and patient. If all else fails, you can either replace the furniture or use strategically-placed table runners and cloths to simply hide the stain.

Prevention is the best way to handle water stains. If you’ve got a new piece of wood furniture that you want to keep in great shape, always use a coaster for your drinks and insist that your guests do so as well. After all, it’s easier to avoid stains altogether than to try and remove them after the damage has been done.